Asian football backs Infantino for re-election as FIFA president

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday endorsed Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, reversing course two months after joining European and North and Central American football bodies in criticising his leadership.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday endorsed Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, reversing course two months after joining European and North and Central American football bodies in criticising his leadership.

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa announced the support at the confederation’s extraordinary congress in Tokyo, where Infantino was present. The election is scheduled for March 2027, with candidates required to submit nominations by November 18.

“I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman told delegates.

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The endorsement marks a shift from August, when the AFC joined UEFA and Concacaf in condemning Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a plan to create a commercial entity linked to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, and sell a stake to private investors. The confederations described the proposal as a “fundamental breach of trust”.

Infantino later apologised to the FIFA Council for mistakes in the project’s communication and consultation process. Sheikh Salman said the two sides had discussed their differences and should now look ahead.

“As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni,” he said.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking a fourth term that would keep him in office until 2031. No candidate has formally entered the race against him so far, ahead of the November 18 deadline.

UEFA, however, continues to seek answers about Infantino’s leadership. The European governing body has asked FIFA to respond by November 2 to 42 questions covering 12 topics, including the abandoned FFE project and the FIFA Peace Prize.

Infantino also voiced support for Sheikh Salman, who is seeking another term as AFC president.